The Russian army took control of the town of Marinka, near Donetsk, in eastern Ukraine, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Monday, allowing Moscow to continue its offensive against the West in the region.
“The town of Marinka, located five kilometers southwest of Donetsk, was completely liberated today”said Sergei Shoigu in a television interview with the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
Marinka has been transformed into a stronghold by the Ukrainian army since 2014. The outbreak of conflict with pro-Russian separatists led by Moscow caused the Russians to begin to control the territory, namely the city of Donetsk.
According to the Russian Defense Minister, Marinka is “a powerful fortified area connected by underground passages” which protect it from artillery and air attacks.
“Thanks to the decisive actions of our soldiers, the fortress was destroyed,” said Sergei Shoigu.
“The liberation of the city naturally reduces the defense capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and gives us more opportunities to continue our action in this direction”he added.
Vladimir Putin welcomed the fact that control of Marinka will keep Ukrainian forces away from Donetsk, the Russian-controlled regional capital, which has been regularly targeted by Ukrainian shelling since 2014.
“We have significantly reduced the range of artillery action near Donetsk (…) and this now allows Donetsk to be more effectively defended against attacks”the President of Russia emphasized.
As a fortified zone, Marinka gives Russian troops “the possibility of a wider operational space”reinforced Vladimir Putin.
Since the failure of the Ukrainian counter-offensive, Russian forces have regained the initiative at the front and gained ground especially in eastern Ukraine.
In particular, the Russian army has been trying for several months to encircle another Ukrainian stronghold, Avdiïvka, also in eastern Ukraine.
It concerns a military offensive by Russia on Ukrainian territory, launched on February 24, 2022, which has already caused the deaths of thousands of civilians.
Source: DN
